Oil is a common problem that many clients complain about. Your scalp, just like your skin, produces natural oils to moisturize and protect it. The skin is our largest organ, it works really hard to regulate itself and keep out lots of yucky stuff that otherwise we would absorb right into our bodies. Oil plays a key role in our health, but when it comes to our hair, oil can be more of a hindrance than a help.

Hydrate

Everyone produces a different amount of oil, and if you talk with any esthetician, they’ll tell you that the less hydrated you are, the more oil you’ll produce. So the first trick is the drink more water! If you hydrate your skin from the inside out, it doesn’t have to work as hard to do the job itself.

Clean your scalp– PROPERLY

The key to a healthy scalp is regular cleaning and stimulation. Now you might be thinking, “But I wash my hair on a regular basis,” and I’m sure that you do! The hangup is, not everyone knows how to wash their hair correctly. I’m a big fan of double shampooing. For your first wash, start in the front and work your way back, rinse out your first round of suds so the second can really do it’s job. For your second shampoo, start in the back and work your way forward. This way, all your bases get covered and you’ll step out of the shower squeaky clean! Nothing will gunk up your hair faster than not removing excess oil from the previous day or week. It’s like only washing your dishes in between meals, of course it’s going to be gross! If you’re using a quality shampoo and thoroughly washing your scalp, excess oil doesn’t get the chance to build up.

*It’s also worth noting that the less often you wash away oils, the less oil you produce. This is TRUE, but if you’re going to reduce washings, I highly suggest finding a dry shampoo that you love first!*

Do a little Detox

If the double shampoo isn’t cutting it for you, try a detoxifying shampoo! My absolute favorite is SOLU Sea Salt Scrub Cleanser. It’s a detox shampoo and scalp scrub in one, perfect for busting through oily buildup. You can detox once a week for a really fresh start, plus there a little jojoba beads that will hydrate your hair and scalp so your skin doesn’t have to work so hard to!

Wash your face all the way to your hairline

I was guilty of this for a long time! When you wash your face morning or night, make sure you cleanse as close to your hairline as possible. Don’t be afraid to get your hair a bit wet! Sometimes we a void our hairline too much and oil can buildup there day ofter day. When your hair comes into contact with the skin on your forehead, boom, oily! Removing the oil from your face can stop it from migrating to into your hair.

Switch to a more gentle shampoo

Sometimes using shampoos with harsh surfactants (the ingredient that makes suds) can dry your hair and scalp out to the extreme. Remember, the drier your hair and skin, the more oil you’ll produce. By switching to a gentle shampoo designed for daily or more frequent use, you can still clean your hair without stripping out every last trace of natural moisture. My favorite shampoo for daily washers or anyone with oily hair is DEDE. It’s a soft, lathery formula rich enough to keep your hair hydrated, but light enough to cleanse without stripping. Choosing the right product can make ALL THE DIFFERENCE if you’re struggling with excess oil!

Keep you hands out of your hair

This trick is so simple, but so difficult to execute! One of the biggest reasons our hair gets oily, especially if you’re oily on top or around your face, is because we touch our hair too much! Your hands produce their own oils, as well as picking up other substances from things we touch. When you run your hands thru your hair those oils transfer and stick to your strands! If you really struggle with oil, keep tabs on how much your touch your hair. This could be the culprit!

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I hope this helped bring some clarity to you, my oily friend! Remember, oil is normal, natural, and nothing to be ashamed of! You just have to pay attention to your hair, give it what it needs, and take care of it properly! You got this!